The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1887-02-10
WICKED FRED DAM"
His Bold Escapade and It's Good
Consequences.

"Oh, my bird! my poor Danny, come
back to met
The appeal is made by a young girl
who stands in the open window of a
four-story building overlooking a mar
row court. A faxen-haired beauty she
is, with large, lustrous gray eyes, frank,
somewhat childish c~ountenance that
bears the mark of close confinement
and ~unceasing toll. A white apron
covers the front of a neat-ftting print
dress, with no ornament at throat or
wrists, since Susan Slayne is only a
sewing girl, and it requires all her
capabilities to make both ends meet
without indulging herself in Injuries
that most women's hearts regard as
necessaries of life. Day in and day out
Little Susie tolls at her machine for the
great firm of Grind & Keep, shirt
makers and furnishing goods manufac-
turers Not a companion has Susie
save. Red Dan, the wild robin her
brother Jack gave her two years before
she left her country home to seek her
fortune in the great city. Orphaned at
sixteen; driven from home by adverse
circumstances, with brother Jack at
sea- Susie sought employment and
found it where, by practicing the ut
most economy, she manages to keep
soul and body together and retain Red
Dan by her for company. By accident
the door Of the cage falls open and Red
Dan takes advantage of the situation
to hop to the window-sill. Susie sees
the movement and springs from her
chair in alarm.
mo, no; Danny must not go out
there"
But the robin, with a glad chirp,
spreads his wings and is gone out into
The sunny air that is fast becoming
crisp with the near close of the autumn
day. And there in the window stood
poor Susie, wringing her pink hands,
in an attitude of complete despair. Be
low sounded a step. The girl does not
heed the sound. She is oblivious t o ev-
cry thing but the bird, which has found
a perch across the court, on the roof Of
q sharp gable at least sixty feet dis
tant.
"Hello! What's the. trouble, Susie?'
At sound of this voice, The girl chances
downward to see a stalwart youth
crossing the court. He has passed I'M
der her window and is looking upward.
my bird, Danny" articulates she,
pointing across the way and upward.
The young man seems to understand.
He disappears, and in a little time
stands beside Susie, who is calling to
the bird in a vain effort to attract the
feathered songster's attention; but
master robin refuses to be beguiled
back to his prison. He is now free.
He plumes himself, and gazes about
with the air of one fully aware of the
truth. Poor Susie calls in vain. All,
poor heart! she will be indeed lonely
without Red Dan for a companion.
Dear, dear, murmured the girl. How
provoking you are, Danny, to leave me
SO. You are lost now, and will never
come back"
There is a sob in the poor girls voice
that seems to touch the heart of the
strong-limbed youth at her side.
Wait" he says, Permit me to try
my persuasive powers on Red Dam.
think he remembers my voice."
Leaning far out and forminga TUNE
of Ills hands, he calls gently, coaxingly
the nApe of the obstinate robin. FRS
low and soft, then, perceiving that thi!
has no effect, raising his voice to {
higher, less musical key. The bird i.
not to be coaxed or wheedled. He hop.
along the ridge of the steep slate roof
and seems to mock at the grief of his
poor little mistress.
.-Oh, Dan, Dan, my poor fellow!'
means the girl, still wringing hel
pretty, pink hands.
Her companion starts, and a bit O.
red steals into his smooth, ~sunbrownet
checks. His brown eyes, honest ant
full of frank light, regard the bowed
little figure. and his broad ches
heayes.
Poor Danr
Once that expression had been ut
tered regarding himself, and then i
!. sounded so strange, coming from tn
lips of sweet Susie Slayne. e.
Dan Huflock straightens his rathe
slender form, and bending low, say
suddenly: Don't cry for the naught,
robin, Susie, 1 will get him for you."
He waits not for further converse bu
speeds from the room. Dan is a skill
full climber, and he has formed a DIES
perate resolves RTushing aside he
tears Susie leanssher pretty face on he
hand and watches the movement of tn
enthusiastically she calls his name
but he continued to remain oblivious g
the girls presence, cunning fellow
The roof opposite is after the gothic
and very steep, much higher than tn
block that Susie occupies. 1t cover
the main building of a boys school
and the sewing girl has often watche
the movements in the rooms opposit
and wondered if she would ever be abb
to complete the education begun in tn
village school years before.
Suddenly she starts and lifts he
pretty chin from her palm. She see
the bare head of a man; it is not throw
to her vision from the school-room, BIT
from one of the many rooms to tn
eft of the sharp, slate covering of tn
seminary. She watches the movin
man with an intensity that is absolute
" painful. He is now crossing til
roof of & large block that is only seps
rated from the seminary building by
narrow lane. in his hand is a cole
rope. What will he do with this
Susie is not held long in suspense.
Once, twice, thrice he hurls a noos
ut one of the great chimneys. TIL
Thrill throw secures a hold, and the
he is climbing, going up. up until til
roof and chimney hide him from view